Have Bike, Will Travel

Have you ever said to yourself, that you'll ride your bicycle more when you can get it to where you really want to ride? Well, that time is now. You can easily take your bicycle with you, for recreation or transportation, by car, bus, plane and train.

My favorite place to begin a bike ride is at my garage - that's where I keep my bikes. But there are times when I want to start a ride someplace else, like at a rail-trail, or to take my bike on a business trip or vacation.

If I am using my car for these trips I use a roof rack to take my bike along. The rack stays on top of my van year round. I use it for canoes, lumber and skis as well as bicycles. It's always there when I need it. When I need more carrying capacity, such as when taking both canoes and bicycles on a family vacation, I add a bike rack that fits on the back.

A new transportation option that I now have is putting my bicycle on the bus. Madison recently added bike racks to the front of most buses. Each rack carries two bicycles. Now I can take the bus to a meeting when I am pressed for time or the weather is bad, and ride back when I am not in as much of a hurry or the sun is shinning.

On the weekend, I can put my bike on the bus and head for the edge of town to begin a ride. Madison is not the only city in Wisconsin with this option. Superior/Duluth was the first, and La Crosse has had bike racks on buses for two years now.

Business and vacation travel occasionally takes me further afield, requiring that I fly. Despite this, I still like to take my bike along when I can. I find the best way to get to know a new place is by walking and bicycling.

Here are a couple suggestions to make flying with your bicycle easier: You can box your bike or even get a bike that will fit into a suitcase. To box your bike, get a box from a bike shop, and maybe even have them box it for you. This requires a bit of disassembly and re-assembly when you get to your destination. Another option is to get a box from the airline they have them at many major airports (always call ahead to check, though).

Airline boxes require less disassembly than boxes from a bike shop, however, airlines do charge a fee for transporting a bike, typically $50 each way. There are bicycle organizations that offer free travel for bikes on major airlines. These programs generally require you to make your reservations through the organization's travel agent.

If you travel a lot with a bicycle, consider a folding bicycle. Some, like the Bike Friday, fold up and fit in a suitcase, which flies as regular luggage. I have had the pleasure of borrowing this type of bike (and suitcase) from a friend. It was a delight, both in terms of not having to add $100 onto my airfare to bring a bike along, as well as in the quality of the ride.

UPS is another option. Have a bike shop box your bike and ship it to a bike shop at your destination for re-assembly.

Another long distance travel option with a bike is Amtrak. A few trains actually have special cars that carry bikes, but generally you will have to box your bike. Amtrak has special bike boxes, which cost $10. There is no additional fee for bringing your bike.

So, if you want to ride your bicycle more for recreation and transportation, don't let getting your bike to your destination be a problem. There are many ways to do it and it can be easier than you might think.

Arthur Ross is the pedestrian/bicycle safety coordinator for the city of Madison. He is an Effective Cycling instructor and Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin board member.